watching over students at the maryland school for the deaf in columbia and now shocking allegations have come forth from three different female students accusing taylor of inappropriate touching from that time until 2010. >> the school for the deaf is an overnight school. at the time, the suspect was a dorm aide so he had responsibility for the students who stayed overnight. >> the girls are at another school told authorities that taylor touched them inappropriate ain one case tried to kiss one of the girls. the girls were ages 10, 11, and 12. it was recently that one of the girls came forward because she heard what happened to her had happened to another girl. >> she initially thought she may have been the only victim but recently got information that led her to believe that there might be other victims. >> taylor was arrested thursday morning had been suspended from

his current job a daytime aide for the school for the deaf. officials declined comment pending the outcome of the investigation. taylor is facing three counts of sex abuse of a minor which is a felony. police are asking anyone who has more information on taylor because they feel there are more victims out there. please call the number on your screen. we're live i'm lowell mesler. >> authorities are identifying the prisoner involved in yesterday's police-involved shooting at stnts joseph medical center. he is charged with attempted murder but he is still in the hospital. it was around 2:30 yesterday when he was receiving treatment and tried to hide a needle in his clothing. after a brief struggle an

officer stepped in and he went for the gun. at one point, the weapon went off. he was handcuffed the entire time. the officer was graced by the bullet. >> an overnight fire in baltimore county. 62-year-old william spencer was killed when these flames took over his home. this is eyewitness video from one of our viewers. about 80 fire personnel was called to the scene. we're told the fire escalated to two-alarm. two firefighters are being treated for minor injuries. in the meantime, a fire in done lock. earn northwest lowell senior died of carbon monoxide poising. they pulled him from the building but we're told he died at a hospital. the cause of the fire is under

investigation. >> a first for same-sex marriage couples day. many of them lined up to fill out marriage applications. the licenses won't be valid until january 1 when the state law goes into effect. we're live with what a lot of people consider an historic day. >> enthusiasm filled clerk's office but not people. same-sex couples lined up overnight waiting for the clerk's office to open so they could fill out an marriage application. same-sex couples trickled at other courthouses. ken was the first in line. >> this is my marriage license and my fiance and i are here and it's official, which is great. it is just -- this is exciting. this is a piece of history.

>> following a momentos challenge to get a bill recognizing same-sex marriage. voters provided their stamp of approval official word that the governor certify all of the ballots traveled as fast as twitter because the licenses couldn't be given out until the governor made it official. >> i got a text message from the governor's office i showed the picture to the clerk but the clerk also looked online and saw the formal document. >> the state made some slight changes. in january when these licenses become valid the chapel will ring them in. >> will you take so and so for your lawfulfully wedded spouse. >> they are planning to ring in the new year with a wedding ceremony that they feel like it

took a lifetime to do. >> i never thought i could marry the person i love. now that i can, it is earth moving, it really is. >> maryland's law takes effect january 1. maryland has a 48 hour waiting period requirement. >> the heated battle between the baltimore arch diocese and baltimore city is taking center stage in a federal courtroom in virginia. a court will determine if it is constitutional to require antiabortion pregnancy clinics in maryland to post certain disclaimers. it was back in june that a lower court determined that violated free speech. city law requires pregnancy countling centers to post disclaims saying they do not

post birth control. >> at john hopkins university the university will contribute $10 million over the next five years. rob roblin join us now with more details. >> this is a lot of money that is going to help these communities quite a bit. the money is going to do things like getting development in the communities, school projects and neighborhood improvements. today's announcement is an effort by the university to improve and strengthen the communities that surround john hopkins university. >> it is clear that the interest of our neighbors, safe streetings, the elimination of dilapidated properties is the interest of our combruferte. off all, the future of john hopkins is linked to the

community and we're deeply, deeply committed to baltimore's success. >> it will be $10 million over the next five years for community projects that will be chosen with the residents that live in the neighborhoods. >> it is our hope that john hopkins will serve as a model. by demonstrating that the vitally of the neighborhood surrounding the institution is critical, critical to the strength and the growth of those institutions. >> john hopkins is committed to leveraging investments as well as its purchasing power to promote the growth of local minority and women-owned business. >> residents in the area i talked with today were happy to hear of hopkin's plan to help their neighborhoods. >> that is good. don't you think that is a good

idea? i think it is wonderful. >> they can build here and use the area they need to put the money into the area, into the people. put some money into it, i think i'm all for it. so more power to them. >> you are invested in the community you should give back. people will come back and work in the same place and reinvest in the community and everybody wins. >> they are going to make an efrlts to hire more baltimore city residents when they can. >> the chilly temperatures certainly returned in the area, 20's this morning and it was a struggle to climb into the low 40's. temperatures are already settling back into the upper 30's around the baltimore area. if temperature drop will continue for the next few hours.

we're watching showers and cloud cover coming up from the west. it will put a stop on the rapid temperature drop and cap things off a little bit. the wet weather will be tracking throw our area tomorrow. donna is at the washington monument for the lightening, it is chilly but the question i have for you is -- >> it is perfect out here tonight. a little bit of chill in the air is what we needed. it is nice and clear. back in 1972 the of the-mayor saw how they lit up their monument and we can do it better and that began to cherish the lightening of the washington

monument. this is the 41st lighting of the "a monumental occasion." a lot of people come here in person and a lot of people watch it here on tv. we have ladies here from the baltimore school of arts. >> my name is maddy. >> i'm maggie. >> i'm in the dance department. >> i'mally and i'm in the theater department. >> we know this is the first year that the choir has performed here, right, so why can we expect? >> something great. they were right around the corner and they are so talented and amazing. you are going to be blown away. >> are you the official fan club here? >> definitely. we worked really hard. >> number one fan. >> we've heard them warming up and they are amazing. >> i'm so excited. i'm really excited because we don't get to hear a lot of their

things but what i do hear is they are incredible and you should really watch it. >> you have to watch it. you have to be there. we're going to have more details on the food that is down here too. >> can't wait. >> we're prepared to be blown away. >> throughout the next hour we're going to catch up you are you crew in mount vernon as the crowds start to gather then our live broadcast of "a monumental occasion" here on wbal 11 news and also on our website, wbaltv.com. >> still and head, dermatologists have been warning for years that u.v. lamps are as dangerous as tanning beds when it comes to skin cancer. >> there is a new study that could change the way you think about the final process of getting that manicure. plus --

>> it was -- it was as high as i've ever seen it. >> more than a month than superstorm sandy devoured part of if east coast parts of maryland are still struggling to recover.

>> maryland has less than 30 days to file a repeal with fema after its refusal to help those affected by superstorm sandy. they say they are open to give parts of maryland a closer look but kisses of oceancy they -- citizens they say don't need it. the toughest loss -- >> we did loss part of the fishing pier on the ocean front which is big news. everyone relates to the pier. just the eastern portion of the pier. we did loss that but that has been contracted to be rebuilt. >> the pier should be back up before next summer. the mayor tells us there is no lingering problems that the fema is dealing with. they are working on beach maintenance and replenishment.

>> tonight's medical alert. a new study out of john hopkins shows that fasting might be key for epilepsy patients. researchers tell us that children with seizures that are treated with a high-fat low carb diet may get an added benefit from fasting. the results suggest that combined these practices can reduce seizures. fasting could be represent a new way to change the metabolism of children with epilepsy. it looks like the coating on aspirin pills could eliminate the drug's effectiveness in reducing strokes or heart attacks. researchers say they have found resistance to the medication may not be the problem at all. the coding may prevent as print

from being absorbs in a way that allows aspirin to do its job. bayer who makes aspirin says when used as directed their medication has meaningful benefits. the lamps used to dry your nails after a manicure does not cause skin cancer. there was some concern they they could be linked to a common cancer in this country. researchers measured the wave levpbts, for wattage of three different models then they determined it would take 250 years of weekly u.v. lamp sessions to staptsly raise the risk of cancer. kids may be exhausting but having a child could extend your life. new evidence is revealing that parenthood cuts the risk of early death especially among

women. childless women were four times likely to die than women who gave birth. >> did you hear that, kits can be exhausting? you are learning it now, aren't you? they are great. temperatures today a lot chillier than they have been. 42 for the high. a morning low of 27. we go from way above normal to temperatures below normal. the morning low of 27 was below the average low. the record high was 77. it is getting chilly now. 41 in downtown baltimore. 43 in easton. temperatures will probably reach the upper 20's early in the evening but with thickening clouds there's a good chance we'll see 20'ses and 30's later

tonight and temperatures rising as we head towards morning. our coldest temperatures are likely to be early tonight. where that rain starts to move into colder temperatures late tonight and early tomorrow there is potential for icy patches in the morning. this is aned a voicery for hagerstown. some of the colder valleys might have rain falling into the freezing temperatures early in the morning tomorrow. if you are traveling in that direction keep in mind, there might be icy patches in those lotions. by the time rain gets to baltimore most everybody will be above freezing. there are showers coming up in the southern at police stationians. this is the first area that is first to reach us. this will move up the mountainings bean the mid-atlantic region. once we are on the warmer side of the front temperatures will be mild for the upcoming weekend.

temperatures are cold pushing down from maine keeping our temperatures chilly. then the front to the north of us stalls in our area, these will combine into southern pennsylvania and sit there as we go through the weekend. can't clear things out completely. it will be unsettled friday, saturday, and sunday, it won't be raining all the time but the risk will be there. then we're on the milder side of it as we're into saturday. the showers are mostly around us but there is a generally a cloudy saturday with a 20% chance of a shower popping up. then you have the low cloudiness maybe light rain on sunday. all of this won't get pushed out until a stronger cold front comes through on monday. tomorrow, a little bit milder than today thanks to the warm front. the winds will shift to the south at 5 to 10 miles an hour. a couple of scattered showers. winds out of the south, waves about a foot, high tide after

midnight tonight. up in western maryland they are getting warmer air too. highs in the 50's friday and saturday. 49 on the eastern shore tomorrow. 50% chance of a shower but only a 20% chance of an isolated shower on saturday. milder temperatures getting into the 60's over the weekend down on the lower eastern shore. 50% chance of shower tomorrow only 20% on saturday. it looks like the best day of the weekend. then rain chances increase again as temperatures climb into the 60's maybe with a rumble on monday and cooler temperatures by the middle of next week. >> you can smoke them if you got them. >> you heard right. rec creational marijuana is legal in maryland. >> it is not a free-for-all. we'll tell you where you can light up legally.

>> then we're going to have a live look at the lighting at

>> it is official. there are somewhere in the u.s. that you can purchase marijuana legally for recreational use. >> washington state is going down in history for the first state to approve the marijuana milestone. but there is a lot of questions about how to buy it and where? chris clackum has details. >> when the clock struck midnight in seattle on thursday 100 or so pot lovers gather to it light up. recreational use of marijuana is now legal after voters approved the measure on november . >> washington voters were very ready for a new approach to marijuana. >> a new approach that led to adults over 21 to posses over an ounce of pot and use it but only

in private. which meant the midnight celebration was, in fact, illegal. the new law conflicts with a federal ban on marijuana. it didn't tell police how to enforce it and lacks spisks on how to regular late producers. >> there is a major problem that has to be work out quickly. >> officials say they are plowing forward because prohibition got expensive. the state spent $1 million a year prosecutors offenders. >> this is one reason why rohigs has failed in its purpose. >> while the feds decide what they will do the state is expect an influx of tourist. >> it is already happening. there is people from boston, noraway, and other places here. >> this puts them above colorado

where its law of recreational use on marijuana goes into effect next month. >> former baseball players and baseball fans it could look different. >> tens of thousands of dollars being pumped into the stadium. >> some national attention in vocabulary for some students. that story is up next. >> their idea to collect toys for superstorm sandy victims has gone crazy after its gone viral. gone crazy after its gone viral. that is straight ahead. [ knocking ] oh, no, i got to go. oh, can you make that to go? these days, nobody has time to get sick. but minuteclinic makes it easy to get well. our nurse practitioners can diagnose and write prescriptions for everything from strep throat to sinus infections with no appointment necessary, so you can feel better in no time.

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>> you're watching wbal 11 news at 5:00 p.m. your forecast with chief meteorologist with tom tasselmyer. wbal 11 news at 5:00 p.m. continues now. >> new at 5:30 high margin vocabulary for a group of elementary and middle school students. this is just out, it shows vocabulary scores are on the rise in maryland. >> this is not a separate test but it seems to prove that students are getting a better handle on word meanings. we're live in the studio with the details. >> i think this does prove that students are reading more and

understanding words and their meanings. in maryland, it is all about what is taken place in the classroom. >> when something is massive it is large and heavy. >> words are key for students at this elementary school. it also the case where there are improving scores across the state. it shows that fourth grade scores are up by three points. those numbers are higher than the national average. same thing for maryland eighth graders. they are ranked above the national average. school officials say they are not surprised by the increase. >> we strive every day to have our students focus on what the word means, through movement, through games we play with them. kids are concentrated on what the words mean. >> what are teachers doing to

help drive up the numbers? >> we teach it the same way we just make it different by teaching it in different ways. >> educaters say teacher training is making a difference on how students learn. >> the words are still very important. it always comes back to how many words the student can interact with, it helps their vocabulary and writing and reading later in life. >> volunteers also pitch in. >> we go over the words and with do a list of words then i have them read a story. >> school officials say they are eager to track student progress beyond elementary school and middle school. the students in both classes were among the best throughout the nation. in other educational news more online classes could be headed

to baltimore county. he told students in a town hall meeting on wednesday the district could get between $30 million and $40 million to help fund this project. they will help to close the achievement gap and prepare students for college and careers. >> this is for all the students but we have to put every course that need to graduate online. >> so far 61 school systems are in the running for these federal dollars, including baltimore city. the winner will be announced at the end of the month. >> here's a look at our other top stories. an aide at the maryland school for the deaf is under arrest charged with sexually abusing three girls. 37-year-old clarence taylor has been suss spended from his job, accused of inappropriately

touching the girls while he was working as an even shift dorm aide. the abuse happened over a two-year period. the police are looking into if there is more victims. authorities have identified the prisoner involved in yesterday's police-involved shooting. 30-year-old brian is charged with attempted murder. he was receiving treatment in the e.r. and tried to hide a needle in his clothing. he got into a scuffle with medical staff and the officer and the officer's gun went off. the officer was graced by the bullet but did not require medical attention. same-sex couples began to get their marriage licenses this morning. that move enables couples to get a back dated license ahead of january 1 when the law takes

effect. couples who get their license far enough in advance will satisfy the 48 hour waiting period. >> posturing continues over the battle to avoid the fiscal cliff. another day ends with no face-to-face meeting between the president and the congressional leaders to break the stalemate. the president left town for a photo on with a middle-class family in west virginia. >> president obama says he's trying to highlight the impact of the tax hikes on the middle class. but the growing pressure from washington to stop the campaigning and sit down face-to-face. president obama headed to northern vavevave. he sat down with tiffany and her family to put a face on the

fiscal cliff. >> for them to be burdened unnecessary because democrats and republicans are not coming together to solve the problem gives you a sense of the cost. >> tiffany used twitter to tell the president that her family can't afford the tax increase. back in washington, more gridlock. >> it up to the republicans to decide how long it is going to take. >> the president, he isn't interested in a balanced agreement. >> with both sides stuck on the tax hikes for the top 2%. >> i think it can be done before it does significant damage. >> he warns that they should have over a month to negotiate in 2013 before the economy falls a part. >> by mid-february it will do a lot of damage. >> anticipating the fiscal cliff

and massive layoffs democrats called on lawmakers to extend jobless benefits that are going to expire this year. 25 days left, no deal yet. republican feel like they might be losing ground. the latest poll shows the majority of voters trust the president and the democratics on the issue. >> mustaches, all part of a penn state photo posted online. >> they are holding two signs that many found racially offensive. >> it is the end for hundred that tick. congress has removed that word from federal law. we will tell you why when we come back.

>> baseball lovers rejoice. some major upgrades are on the way for the stadium in hanover.

a casey know is pumping in the money and we're hearing the plans include a new scoreboard. officials tell us this is their way of giving back. >> covering the nations tonight penn state is at the center of a new controversy. this time after a photo was taken at a mexican-themed sorority party and the photos popped up online. the campus is under fire for taking this picture that they are calling racially insensitive. it says will mow lawn for weed and beer. it was reported in an onward blog online and now it is at the center of investigation. they apologized for the photo. >> the word lunatic will soon be

banished. the house of represent passed a law removing the word from the code. it was 398 in favor with only one no vote and it goes to the president for a signature. this is the latest move by congress to remove language that is out of date or demeaning. previous congress removed the term mental retardation from federal law that was passed by the senate in may. >> still ahead tonight, we are learning of a possible leak from apple. >> just released but now there is images online on what is rumored to be the company's latest model. >> it is not just fireworks and music it is also some amazing -- look at those cupcakes.

i'm going to have one. >> there are clouds moving this way and a few showers and a warm front. we'll see how it unfolds with the seven hch day forecast. 37 at the airport.

>> i'm rob daniels coming up at 6:00. an aide at the maryland school for the deaf in columbia was arrested for sexual abuse. plus, an historic day for some same-sex couples in our state. what is now available that has never been available before. we'll have these stories and more coming up

>> take a look at this. this display shares season's greetings in light. >> the stars shine and the lights blink merry christmas and happy new year. you can see a green christmas tree on the roof there. >> if off light display go to our facebook page and tell us why your house should be featured. share some pictures of your house and if you aring selected we will fly to your house and we'll show it to everybody right here on 11 news at 5:00. speaking of lights and decorations it is almost that time. >> it is a beloved baltimore tradition, the lighting of the washington monument. the excitement is planned

throughout the evening in mount vernon. >> let's go out to donna hamilton where the occasion is set to begin in less than an hour, right? >> exactly. the music is playing and everyone is having a great time. you thought that was awesome, the light on those people's house. wait till you see what is going on down here. we have a lot of cute kids with balloon hats on. say hi. >> hi. >> say merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> the lightening is going to happen around 7:45 then followed by a laser light show and fireworks. if you've never seen it is just amazing. you are ok. cupcakes, i'm coming back for these in a second. they are $1 each. up the way they have amazing cookies. this is from golden west cafe. how good does that look?

right up here we're going to get apple cider. i hear the apple cider is free. is that true? can we try some of that? i would love some. doesn't that look amazing? you have chicken shrimp gumbo. ava marie is also here. would you like some of that? >> i just walked up. i made it here and found a parking spot and that is good. i bring this everywhere and it is currently 47 degrees right where we're standing. temperatures are in the low 40's right now but all the heat are heating things up. it is warmer next to the monument lighting. temperatures should be dropping down into the upper thirts so hopefully people are prepared for that. dress in different layers, maybe wear a festive hat.

other than that we have dry conditions and light winds. even the fireworks, they like it when they have the light winds as well. overall, this is spectacular weather for this evening. we'll continue to bring you updates throughout the entire night. we'll head back to you in the studio. >> ok, thanks a lot. make sure donna brings some of those treats back with her. >> we've got a lot of stuff going on here. >> we need some food. >> unless we eat them all. we might eat them all before we get back. >> it is possible. we're getting hungry looking at that stuff here. it is great weather for the lighting of the monument this year. the temperatures are chilly but it is what we expect downtown baltimore it is 41 right now. columbia is in the upper 30's and marshall is at 37 degrees. it looks like first down at the

monument. a few high clouds, light winds. for the next few hours we'll see temperatures set until the 36 to 40 range. as you get into the colder valleys where the cool, dense air can settle in back into the washington county and southwestern p.a. these temperatures can be freezing by the time the precipitation arrives later tonight. so there is an outside chance of freezing rain or drizzle in the cooler valleys in southwest pennsylvania. they are under a freezing rain advisory. if you are going up the pennsylvania turnpike keep that in the back of your mind there could be slick spots out there. out here just increasely cloudiens. you can see the first hents of the warm front with scattered showers and clouds. also showers in the great lakes,

all of this converging on our area. hopefully you enjoyed the sunshine from today because the next couple of days is little bit of unsettled pattern. for preside and the weekend the temperatures will go up again. saturday, mostly dry but a lot of clouds around and maybe a 20% chance of a light shower. mild terms to start the weekend, the winds shift to the east on sunday. so that will be a cloudy, damp, sunday. then a stronger front will come across the area by monday. 47 to 52 tomorrow. on the bay tomorrow, winds will be light coming out of the south with waves about a foot. you see those temperatures climb upper first saturday. maybe cool off a few degrees sunday. then soar back to 60's on monday.

rain ends on tuesday and cool and dry weather in the middle of next week. >> in tonight's consumer alert rumors are swirling about apples a new iphone. this is video, you can see of the iphone 5 that was just released. one website claims to have spotted a prototype with a iphone 5 body with minor tweaks. some say the photos could be old images. there is no real way to know for sure. however, going by apple's typical release calendar there should be a new unveiling next fall but apple has not commented on the rumors. a recall to pass along it involvings the recliner that the government says is behind five insignificant deaths. they are warning retailers to stop selling these recliners immediately.

more than 100,000 products have been sold. but this seen here is designed for resting, playing the babies have fell out of the base even hen the three-point harness was used. >> do you remember luke duke from the "dukes of hazard" he was the more rational cousin. well, he is known as tom and he is taken on a different role. he has a nephew diagnosed with autism and he is using his celebrity to fight back. you can catch tom who has been on brodway in a special benefit concert. money raised goes toward the group path finders for autism. autism is something that is close to his heart. >> it is something that is difficult and it is hard to

define. it is something that i think -- i think that's why i think it gets short changed as far as money being donated for research and trying to figure out how to best integrate these individuals into the community. >> the one-night only production will feature a mix of seasonal and broadway performers. if you want more information head to our website, wbaltv.com. president obama is taking the fiscal cliff fight from the oval office into the living room as he heads to virginia. how he is highlighting his call to raise the taxes of the rich from a middle-class family. >> the kids behind me started collecting a few toys for the victims of the superstorm sandy victims

>> it is that time of year again and we need you mittens. officials are collecting winter gear as part of the mitten campaign. you are asked to donate any winter gear that includes caps, gloves, scarves they will be donated for anyone who needs it this holiday season. you can mail your donations and to find out how to do that you can go to our website, wbaltv.com. two baltimore children are

thinking of others this holiday season. they are trying to get as many toys as possible for victims of superstorm sandy. >> stuffed animals, games, and blocks. >> 5-year-old sadie and 6-year-old tyler take a good look at the toys they will be giving away. the kids and their families are parter ins to help make christmas special for victims of superstorm sandy. >> their toys got broken and they could not fix them. >> i didn't want them to have nothing at all. i want them to have something. >> when she came to me and i thought we need to figure out how to do this. >> sadie's mom created an event page on facebook that went viral and now boxes of donations come in every day.

>> the response is overwhelm ing. >> overwhelming and it got bigger. at sadie's school they organized a program. in the last week they joined forces and now their efforts have snowballed. >> i authority something small i never in my wildest dreams thought it would be this big. >> they are going to use it, we're not blindly donating, we know where it is going and we know those kids are going to get the toys. >> the family will hold a stuff a truck event on saturday then they will head up to jersey on the 15th. a season made bright from children who are not thinking of themselves but of others. >> i want these kids to say i want these toys and i like these toys. >> thank you. nice job. that's all for us at 5:00. here's a look at what is coming

up new at 6:00. >> same-sex couples all over the state paid a visit to the clerk's office today. >> a teacher's aide at the maryland school for the deaf is arrested and charged for sexually abusing young girls at that school. >> hot apple cider, beautiful holiday music, and the crowds starting to gather, it is an monumental occasion. we're live. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] >> good evening. our big story a first for same-sex couples here in maryland. >> marriage licenses are available for couples to fill out. the licenses won't be valid until january 1 when the new state law goes into effect. a lot of people consi